Seed-planting machine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. DART. Seed-Planting Machine.

Patented Mar. 23, 1880.

WITNESSES: INYBNTOR:

S Qj w I TTORNEYS.

ILFETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. D. (L

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I AJDAR-T- Seed-Plafiting Machine.

. No. 225 804. Patented Mar..'2 3, 1880.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

70m- PZW" g? ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. PPIOTD-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D. Q

UNITE STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT DART, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

SEED-PLANTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,804, dated March23, 1880.

Application filed October 18, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT DART, of Richmond,in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented a newImprovement in Seed-Planting Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention consists in combining with a seed-dropper mechanism aflat-rimmed wheel and rim-grooved roll; also, in a supporting wheelarranged on a two-part shaft between the two sections of a seeder, allas hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a plan view, partially in sec tion, of my improved planter.Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of one dropping-slide. Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal section of the machine on line or w of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is avertical transverse section on liney g of Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the form shown the machine is adapted for planting two rowssimultaneously, the mechanism for each row being carried by anindependent frame, A, and the machine adapted for planting two or threerows being an assemblage of frames A upon a forward and rear axle withadjustable connecting-braces. By this construction the machines may beused for extensive or limited work, according to the needs of theoperator.

The forward axle, a, is fitted with the wheels I) b at its ends, whichwheels are fast, and the axle is made in two portions, united betweenthe frames A by a tubular coupling, a, into which the ends of the axleenter and are secured by set-screws.

The rear axle, c, is also made in two pieces, united at its mid-lengthby the tubular coupling c and set-screws, and carries between the frameA the broad-faced wheel d, that is fast upon the coupling 0 and supportsthe rear part of the machine.

At the forward part of the machine is a cross-brace, c, which passesthrough a socket, e, on each frame A, wherein it is held adjustably by aset-screw, and to this brace c the pole and drivers seatare attached.

At the rear of the machine is a curved brace, f, that is secured at itsends by screws f, which pass through slots in the brace f and the framesA. By this construction the frames A are firmly attached together, andtheir distance apart may be regulated according to the width the rowsare to be planted.

Theframes may also be disconnected and used singly, or a third frameadded by using axles of sufficient length and additional wheels.

The ridgiug, marking, dropping, and covering devices are similar uponeach frame A, and the following description will apply to all.

At the forward end of frame A are two standards, g, carrying theridging-plows h. The standards 9 pass through vertical apertures inframe A, in which they are held adjustably by screws 9'. The plows hconsist of wide metal plates, widest at the forward end, attached so asto present one edge to the ground and inclined inward and upward fromfront to rear, whereby they gather the soil betweenthem at the forwardend and turn it inward to form a ridge, the ridge being partiallycompleted and leveled by the rear ends of the plows.

A short distance behind the plows h the tinishing-plows h are attachedupon standards 2', which are secured to frame A. These plows h aresimilar in construction and attachment to h, except that the rear endsare closer together and higher than plows h, and they act to completeand level the ridge, their rear ends passing over the ridge to level thesame and cover the fertilizing material, which is dropped by mechanismfitted behind the plows h, as next described.

Upon frame A, in bearings k, is a shaft, 70, carrying a gear-wheel, I,that meshes with a gear, I, on axle a. Upon shaft is a steel or ironcutting-roller, m, revolving in abox or curb, m, and formed with sharpcross-ribs. Upon the curb m is fitted a hopper, a, for receiving theguano, compost, or other fertilizing material, and from an opening atthe bottom of curb m a tube, 0, projects downward for delivering the cutmaterial. In front of the tube 0 an opener, p, is attached rigidly, thelower end of which terminates behind the plows h, and is made in theform of a double plow to run a furrow in the ridge to receive thefertilizer. The cutter on will act to break up and out the material, andis especially useful, when compost is used for fertilizing, to reducethe unrolled portions.

In the frame A, behind the plows h, is mounted a rotary marking-wheel,q, the same being a wheel with beveled edges that acts to press a furrowat the top of the ridge for the seed. This wheel q is preferable to arigid marking-foot, as it will press weeds and grass into the soilinstead of raising them up.

Behind and in line with the rotary marker q is the delivery-spout r ofthe seed-dropping mechanism, hereinafter described, and in the frame A,behind spout 1", is fitted a wheel, 8, which has a wide flat face andacts to press the seed to a uniform depth, according to the verticaladjustment of the axis of wheel 8, which may be fitted for adjustment byany suitable means.

At the rear end of frame A, between projecting forked arms, thecovering-roller t is hung to revolve in bearings. This roller t is madewith a concave face forming side flanges, and acts, as it rolls over theridge, to cover the seed and compress the soil at the top of the ridge.

The dropping mechanism is shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 4, and is constructedas follows: The seed-box u is fitted with a hopper, u, and at the underside with a cross-slide, e, which is moved on the frame A above theopening to the delivery-spout 1" by a cam-grooved roller, w, on the axlec, acting on a pin which pro jects downward from the slide.

Upon the frame A, in suitable bearings, is a cross-shaft, t, whichpasses through the box a; and is rotated from axle c by gearings 0 eWithin the box it the shaft 25 is provided with radial pins, which actas stirrers to keep the seed loose and prevent it from clogging. Withsome seed-corn, for instance-the shaft and stirrers may not be required.

The slide 1) is formed with an aperture, which is caused by the movementof the slide to register with the spout r at every revolution of wheeld. The movement may be made more frequently, if desired, and fordrilling the slide will be removed, thereby permitting the seed to runout in a continuous stream.

The check-row marker is fitted at the outer ground, the frame A isformed in two parts,

aforward and a rear portion, jointed together so as to swing verticallyby knuckle-joints k behind the forward axle. By this construction therear part of the frame carrying the dropping and covering devices canadjust itself to uneven ground, and the machine is rendered more perfectin operation. Upon each frame A a handle, 0, is fixed at the inner sideand extends to the back of the machine. These handles 0 are connected byan adjustable crossbar, 19, and are to be used in guiding the machine byan operator walking between the frame A.

This construction above described furnishes a complete and effectivemachine, the working parts of which are especially adapted forperforming their particular office in an effective manner. The machineis adapted for work on the most extensive scale or for minor plantingoperations with small power.

The mechanism for supplying the fertilizer may be removed from themachine if desired, and the details of construction may be varied toadapt the machine for special soils and work Without departing from myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the seed-dropping mechanism, of the flatrimmedwheel 8 and the rim-grooved roll t, arranged as shown and described.

2. The supporting-wheel (1, arranged on a two-part shaft and couplingadj ustabl y between the two sections of a seeder, as and for thepurpose specified.

ALBERT DART.

Witnesses WM. W. ANDRESS, DWIGHT MARCY.-

